ASTAR ON NATION'S BUZZ MAGAZINE | News

ASTAR ON NATION'S BUZZ MAGAZINE

Saturday, 14 June 2008

Gospel hip hop artist Astar (Richard Njau) graces the cover of tomorrow's (June 15th) Sunday Nation newspaper's BuZZ Magazine. The artist shares with BuZZ writer John Muchiri about his life and his salvation. He is also a nominee at this year's Chaguo La Teeniez (CHAT) Awards for Teeniez Best Gospel Artist Award. Also nominated in this category is Mercy Masika, SK Blue and fellow Hip Hope crew member Juliani. The awards were held today (we will update you with who won what). He is also slated to perform today at the Hip Hope ID - Easlands edition concert together with Kanjii, Michelle, Juliani, Bryan King, Bupe, Ciru and Dee (again we'll update you on that event). Below is the interview with BuZZ magazine.

View the interview on the original magazine here.

DOWNLOAD ASTAR'S ALBUM HERE

BUZZ: Why do you call yourself A-star?
A-star: I first borrowed it from the grading system in the GCSE schooling system, where you get a star if you have marks above 90 per cent. It’s now making sense to me because I’m a shining star as far as gospel music is concerned.

What is your real name?
My name is Richard Njau.

Tell me about yourself.
I’m one person who grew up in a very wealthy family. I went to the best schools in this country andgot the best things in life during

my childhood.

Where did you go to school?

I went to Braeside and Braeburn schools. I studied in the UK and the University of Port Elizabeth in South Africa.

What did you study in campus?

I studied economics and business management. I managed to get internship with Barclays Bank in 2004 when I came back to Kenya from South Africa. But I didn’t like working on an eight to five shift, so I quit.

What did you do when you quit?

That’s when I joined the music industry as a producer. I recorded different artistes in different studios, including CMB Prezzo and Sudanese musician Jal, just to mention but a few. But my parents were not happy about that.

Did they do anything about it?

Yes, they kicked me out of the house, and took the car they had bought for me too.

Where were they living?

They both live in the UK with my two younger sisters.

So what did you do?

That’s when I started seeing reality. Life become hard I was stressed. I went to Mombasa for two months and spent almost

all the cash I had, drinking with friends from Nairobi.

What happened when you came back to Nairobi?

I lived with my uncle in Karen for a while, but he couldn’t stay with me for a long time. I started depending on my friends, staying with one for a few days then moving on to another. They thought I had money as usual but when they realised I didn’t have any, they started to avoid me. It was the lowest time in my life.

How did you get out of the situation?

I got saved in June 2005, but decided to continue with music. I went to a gospel concert in December the same year and met the Kijiji crew with their leader Kanjii Mbugua of Milele music group. I followed them to their studio and tried to secure a recording deal.

How?

I wanted to rap but Kanjii told me that their studio did mainly authentic songs. But I was a desperate man and I convinced him to give me a chance.

You sang?

No, I rapped and he loved my rapping style so I signed a deal to record a full album, which is now out.

What is it called and what is it about?

It’s called ‘The Light’. The album is mostly about my life. It’s a testimony of how God can transform someone. It’s not targeting the people who are in the church, but mostly the welloff people, who live a life like the one I lived. Where parents provide everything to a point where you feel that you don’t need God! People need to know that there’s a lot of fun when you get saved, and that’s one of my most important messages in the album.

What fun?

In my album, I’ve done collabos with secular artistes like Pam, who is doing very well musically. That’s how I get the attention of people who are not in the church. I’m showing them that being saved does not alienate; it gives one a sense of peace.

There are several gospel musicians now turned secular. What makes your case different?

Nobody is perfect, but the company you keep makes a lot of difference in your faith. I work with Kijiji Records, and I’m now part of the family. We have strong people in faith around us and we all fellowship together at the Mavuno Church. I believe that my surroundings will help me a lot as far as my faith in God is concerned.

How much have you achieved musically?

With barely three years in the industry, I have a Kisima award I won last year and a Talentmania award too. I have had over six nominations in both Chaguo La Teeniez and Groove awards.

What are your parents saying about you now?

It didn’t make a difference to them, even when I started doing gospel music, but now I can feel their attitude has changed. Perhaps it is because my character has changed and I’m a more responsible person.

Where do you live now?

I live in my own house in South C estate.

How old are you?

I’m 26.

Are you in a relationship?

Yes. With my God and my music.

jmuchiri@nation.co.ke